It’s not so much the personal contract for Cheslin – believed to be around £1m per season – what’s incredible about this deal is the amount of money Toulon are prepared to pay to buy him out of the remaining two years of his Toulouse contract – reportedly around £1.5m.
Kolbe, 27, is now level with world rugby’s top earners – Bristol Bears wing Charles Piutau and South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard at Montpellier, with Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) just behind on £900k a year followed by Saracens pair Maro Itoje (£850k) and Owen Farrell (£750k).
In a business sense, where is the return on Toulon’s initial outlay given the way they play compared to Toulouse? Toulouse are the best team in France and Europe – arguably the best club side in the world – and play incredible rugby. Unless Toulon are planning on building a side exactly the same as Toulouse they will not get the best out of someone like Cheslin.
South Africa don’t get the best out of him because of their strategy and the way they play.
However Toulouse were getting everything they possibly could out of him – and the other way round. Toulouse loved having Cheslin as a player and they saw his potential four years ago when he arrived from the Stormers yet to break into the South Africa side, having starred for their U20s and Sevens teams.
His partnership with Toulouse has been harmonious – Cheslin has been integral to them, and them to him.
This story is from the August 29, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 29, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
